Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Tour Historic Diriyah, Spotlight Bold Vision for Cultural Revival
Diriyah, The Gulf Observer: U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embarked on a symbolic walking tour of the At-Turaif district in Diriyah on Tuesday, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to turn the birthplace of the Saudi state into a world-leading cultural and heritage destination.
The visit to At-Turaif—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancestral home of the Al-Saud family—underscored the deepening ties between Washington and Riyadh as well as the Kingdom’s renewed emphasis on cultural preservation and national identity ahead of its 300th anniversary in 2027.
Against the backdrop of the storied Salwa Palace, the two leaders explored the narrow alleyways and centuries-old mudbrick palaces that form the heart of Saudi Arabia’s historical narrative. Trump, in his first official overseas trip of his second term, praised the initiative as “bold and inspiring,” signaling strong U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s heritage-driven transformation.
“The history here is alive,” Trump said during the tour. “This is a legacy the world should see, and I commend the Crown Prince’s vision in preserving and elevating it.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman briefed the U.S. president on the Diriyah development master plan—a sweeping initiative to blend heritage preservation with modern infrastructure, tourism, and cultural programming. The project is a cornerstone of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s economic diversification strategy aimed at reducing reliance on oil and bolstering the creative and cultural sectors.
The visit aligned with the ongoing Saudi–U.S. Investment Forum, reinforcing the strategic and economic partnership between the two nations.
Diriyah Company CEO Jerry Inzerillo provided both leaders with an update on the city’s transformation, outlining plans to position Diriyah as the world’s largest heritage and cultural city. He emphasized the city’s role not just as a tourist destination, but as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s identity and its aspirations on the global stage.
As the tour concluded, the message was clear: the Kingdom is looking to the future with a profound respect for its past—and doing so with its closest allies by its side.
